Job losses for teachers due to ‘regressive cuts’ warns Ó Cuív

Eighteen teachers in Galway city and county institutes of further education will lose their jobs if the Government persist with its “highly regressive” cuts.

This is the view of Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson and Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív, who was speaking following the defeat of his party’s Dáil motion calling for the reversal of the cuts.

According to Dep Ó Cuív the cuts in funding for VECs and PLC colleges announced in Budget 2013, along with the cuts to training allowances and the Back to Education Allowance, will result in a reduction in student places on PLCs and in the number of courses available.

“At least nine full-time teaching posts will be cut at colleges of further education in Galway,” he said. “These posts are mostly filled by part-time teachers, meaning a total of up to 18 teachers will be lost here this year.”

He also warned that about 400 specialised PLC teachers across the State will be dropped from the system as a result of the cuts.

The latest statistics show there are more than 22,000 people on the Live Register in Galway city and county, 3,285 of whom are under 25.

“They are desperately looking for opportunities and the specialised courses and training provide much needed opportunities,” said Dep Ó Cuív. “It is a grave mistake to persist with plans to water down this sector when little or nothing has been done to tackle the jobs crisis.”